Distylium plant named ‘DISmd-26-18’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Distylium  plant named ‘DISmd-26-18’, characterized by its compact, freely branching, mounded, and evergreen plant habit, and its ovate-lanceolate shaped leaves, that are dark green once mature and soft pink in color when newly emerging. The inventor believes it could be used as a landscaping hedge and substitute for boxwood.

Botanical designation: Distylium sp. hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘DISmd-26-18’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofDistylium plant, botanically known as Distylium sp. hybrid (Distyliummyricoides x Distylium racemosum), a member of the Hamamelidaceae, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DISmd-26-18’. Thiscultivar represents a new Distylium, an evergreen shrub grown forlandscape use.

The new Distylium ‘DISmd-26-18’ was discovered and selected from abreeding program conducted by the inventor at a horticulture farm inWatkinsville, Ga. ‘DISmd-26-18’ originated as a seedling that arose froma group of seedlings from the open pollination of the female parentDistylium ‘PIIDIST-II’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,409) in the fall of 2016.‘DISmd-26-18’ was selected as a single unique plant in the summer of2017 from among the resulting seedlings.

Asexual propagation of the new cultivar by semi-hard stem cuttings hasbeen continued in Watkinsville, Ga. since 2018. Observations of theresulting Distylium ‘DISmd-26-18’ has determined that the uniquefeatures of this new cultivar are stable and reproduced true-to-type insuccessive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Distylium cultivar ‘DISmd-26-18’ have not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices suchas light, temperature, soil and rainfall without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent theunique and distinguishing characteristics of the cultivar named‘DISmd-26-18’. In combination, these traits set ‘DISmd-26-18’ apart fromall other existing varieties of Distylium known to the inventors:

-   -   1. ‘DISmd-26-18’ exhibits a compact, freely-branched, mounded,        and evergreen growth habit;    -   2. ‘DISmd-26-18’ exhibits very small ovate-lanceolate leaves        that are smaller in size than the leaves of the female parent        ‘PIIDIST-II’ and related cultivars ‘DISmd-09-15’ (patent        pending, application Ser. No.: 17/726,883) and ‘DISmd-24-18’        (patent pending, application Ser. No.: 17/752,019);    -   3. ‘DISmd-26-18’ exhibits soft pink new growth foliage that        matures to dark green foliage; and    -   4. ‘DISmd-26-18’ has thus far exhibited cold hardiness to about        20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Plants of ‘DISmd-26-18’ differ from its female parent plant,‘PIIDIST-II’ by having a less spreading canopy or growth habit andsmaller leaves. ‘DISmd-26-18’ also differs from ‘PIIDIST-II’ in havingnew growth that is a soft pink, maturing to dark green, in contrast tothe new growth of ‘PIIDIST-II’, which is a blue-purple color. The softpink color of the new growth of ‘DISmd-26-18’ also differs from the newgrowth color of related cultivars ‘DISmd-09-15’, which is bronze-red,and ‘DISmd-24-18’, which is bronze-pink. In addition, as compared torelated cultivars ‘DISmd-09-15’ and ‘DISmd-24-18’ and any Distylium thusfar observed by the inventor, the leaves of ‘DISmd-26-18’ aresignificantly smaller.

Due to the small leaf size, the new ‘DISmd-26-18’ could thus be used andsold as a substitute for boxwood. This combined with the growth habitlends this plant to being utilized as a screening plant by landscapersand gardeners alike.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance anddistinct characteristics of the new cultivar ‘DISmd-26-18’, includingfoliage characteristics, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the colorvalues cited in the detailed botanical description, which accuratelydescribes the colors of ‘DISmd-26-18’.

The photograph labeled FIG. 1 depicts a ‘DISmd-26-18’ plant with nodamage grown at the horticultural farm in Watkinsville, Ga. Thephotograph shows the dark green mature leaves and the soft pink newergrowth. Plants are three years old, and the photo was taken in August2021.

The photograph labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close up of the foliage of‘DISmd-26-18’ on a three-year-old plant. The photo shows the dark greenmature leaves of ‘DISmd-26-18’ as well as the soft pink new growth. Thephoto was taken in August 2021 in Watkinsville, Ga.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following traits have been consistently observed in the originalplant of this new variety and in asexually propagated progeny grown fromWatkinsville, Ga., and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, theircombination forms the unique characteristics of the new variety‘DISmd-26-18’.

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Wheel, 2015Edition, except when general terms of ordinary dictionary significanceare used.

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements,and values describe plants of the Genus species cultivar named‘DISmd-26-18’. Plants used for the description were approximately twoyears old and were grown in three-gallon containers under outdoorconditions in Watkinsville, Ga. The average low temperatures during thewinter ranged from about 33-42° F., and the average high temperaturesduring the Summer ranged from about 85-92° F. in summer.

-   Botanical classification: Distylium sp. hybrid, cultivar    ‘DISmd-26-18’.-   Parentage: Distylium sp. hybrid. (Female or seed parent:    ‘PIIDIST-II’ Distylium. Male or pollen parent: unknown/open    pollenated).-   Propagation: Stem cuttings, asexual propagation.-   Time to initiate roots in summer: About 3 to 4 weeks at about 32° C.-   Time to produce a rooted young plant: About 4 months at about 32° C.-   Plant description: Medium form, well branched, diffuse and    extensive.    -   -   Usage.—Landscaping hedge appropriate for commercial use,            home garden, and the like.        -   Root description.—Medium, well branched.        -   Plant size.—The original plant, at about 2.5 years old in            the ground, is about 45 cm high from the soil level to the            top of the foliage canopy and about 88 cm wide.        -   First year stems.—Having a diameter of about 1.5 mm. Shape:            Round. Fine pubescence. Few small lenticels about 1 mm in            diameter and N199B in color.        -   Length.—About 20 cm and very flexible.        -   First year stem color.—146A.        -   Second year and older stems.—Have a diameter of about 3 mm            or more. Shape: Round. Length: about 63 cm and stems easily            broken once mature. Smooth, no pubescence.        -   Second year and older stem color.—N200A.        -   Stem strength.—Flexible when young, less flexible when            mature.        -   Internode length.—About 1.2 cm.        -   Trunk diameter.—About 5 cm at soil level.        -   Trunk color.—199B.        -   Bark.—Does not exfoliate, covered with many lenticels about            1 mm in diameter and N199B in color.-   Vegetative bud description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Shape.—Ovate with fused, pubescent bud scales.        -   Size.—About 1 mm in length and about 0.5 mm in width.        -   Color.—200A.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple.        -   Length.—About 2 cm.        -   Width.—About 6 mm.        -   Shape.—Ovate-lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire, occasionally undulating.        -   Texture (upper and lower surfaces).—Smooth and thick,            leathery.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Venation color (upper and lower surfaces).—Midrib color is            147B and secondary vein color is 147A.        -   Color of emerging foliage (upper surface).—73B.        -   Color of emerging foliage (lower surface).—73B.        -   Color of mature foliage (upper surface).—139A.        -   Color of mature foliage (lower surface).—146B.        -   Petiole length.—About 2 mm.        -   Petiole diameter.—About 0.5 mm.        -   Petiole shape.—Elliptical.        -   Pubescence.—Fine, 199A in color.        -   Petiole color (upper and lower surfaces).—140C.-   Flower description: Detailed botanical data for the flowers of the    new Distylium are not readily available. The original plant is 2.5    years of age and has yet to flower. Distylium typically flower in    January and are more often than not affected by late frost or cold    snaps.-   Fruit description: The original plant in 2.5 years of age has yet to    bear fruit as it has not flowered. Thus, detailed botanical data for    fruit is also not readily available for the new Distylium    ‘DISmd-26-18’.-   Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the new Distylium grown in the    nursery and garden have not been noted to be susceptible to    pathogens, pests, or disease.-   Weather and temperature tolerance: ‘DISmd-26-18’ is cold hardy in    USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 7-9.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Distylium plant named‘DISmd-26-18’ as illustrated and described herein.